South Australia’s global leadership in decarbonisation will be further enhanced with the rollout of a statewide electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
The operator RAA has today unveiled locations for the first 12 fast charging locations for the network, which has been supported by a $12.35 million State Government grant.
The RAA Charge network will be made up of 86 AC fast charging stations (capable of up to 7kW output), and 54 DC Rapid (up to 150kW) and Ultra-Rapid (up to 200kW) charging stations in metropolitan, regional and rural locations.
The first sites include Marion, West Lakes, Strathalbyn, Hahndorf, Woodside, Mount Gambier and five Adelaide CBD UParks.
Construction of all 140 charging sites is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with all powered by renewable energy.
With the convenience of multiple high powered charging stations across the state, driving range anxiety will no longer be a barrier to electric vehicle purchase.
By encouraging use when cheap renewable supply is plentiful, the new network will also contribute significantly to the stability and efficiency of our electricity system, helping place downward pressure on power prices for all South Australians.
The statewide EV charging network sends a clear message to global vehicle manufacturers, business and the community that South Australia is intent on leading the transition to electric vehicles in Australia.
Only last month, the Malinauskas Labor Government successfully repealed the Marshall Liberal Government’s electric vehicle tax, which would have imposed a charge on every kilometre travelled in an electric car.
Repealing this tax provides certainty of cost for electric vehicle drivers, as well as supporting the uptake of electric vehicles by preserving the financial benefits for EV adopters considering the average annual savings on fuel and maintenance costs.
And the benefits of Labor’s commitment to repeal the Liberals’ tax are evident in new EV sales in South Australia in the month of January – with 242 electric vehicles sold, up from just 32 in the same month in 2022.
Significant incentives for the purchases of new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are in place, including a three year exemption on motor registration fees, and a $3,000 subsidy (capped at a vehicle price of $68,750 incl. GST).
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
South Australia leads the world in decarbonisation of our electricity grid, and supporting a faster uptake of electric vehicles makes sense from an economic and an environmental standpoint.
At a time when petrol prices are stubbornly high, South Australia has abundant renewable energy, particularly in the middle of the day.
Electric vehicles will play a crucial role in storing that energy and using it productively.
By helping fund this broad scale charging network and abolishing the Liberals’ ill-thought-out tax of electric vehicles, we’ll ensure we continue to lead the nation.
Attributable to RAA Chief Executive Nick Reade
RAA is partnering with the state government to lead the way and build the first border-to-border charging network in South Australia,” Mr Reade said.
Across the first 12 sites, 59 new electric vehicle charging plugs are now available with hundreds more in the coming months.
The rollout of the RAA Charge network will pick up pace this year, with the construction of all 140 charging sites to be completed in 2024 – and all powered by renewable energy.
Our research shows that interest in EVs is curbed by the lack of available charging infrastructure – we’re putting that to bed with the launch of the RAA Charge network.
